In a stunning display of resilience, Justin Greaves’ unbeaten 202 propelled the West Indies to an extraordinary draw against New Zealand in the first Test at Hagley Oval. His monumental innings, complemented by Kemar Roach’s undefeated 58, defied the hosts and secured a historic outcome for the Caribbean side. The West Indies achieved their highest-ever fourth-innings score in Test cricket, a remarkable 457/6, showcasing incredible batting prowess. Greaves’ career-best double century marks him as only the seventh player in Test history to achieve such a feat in the final innings of a match. Pace bowler Kemar Roach, at 37, also etched his name in the record books with his best Test innings of 58 not out from 86 appearances. His solid support was crucial as Greaves navigated the challenging Christchurch pitch for 282 minutes. Roach’s all-round performance was further highlighted by a first-innings 5/78, making him the fourth-oldest player to claim five wickets and score a half-century in the same Test. Shai Hope also contributed significantly with a century, scoring 140 before being dismissed. The West Indies ultimately fell 74 runs short of a record-breaking chase, but their performance shattered expectations. A crucial moment saw Kemar Roach given a lifeline after a caught-behind appeal was turned down, with replays indicating a faint edge. This resilience, alongside Greaves’ heroics, ensured the match ended in a hard-fought draw.
